Soto voted as starting left fielder for NL All-Star squad

ATLANTA -- At the precise moment Juan Soto learned he had been voted a National League All-Star starter, he was leading the circuit with a .971 OPS. That would be impressive in any context. That Soto was doing it for one of the worst teams in the NL encapsulates, in Mets interim manager Andy Green’s words, “what makes him really special.”

“Certainly, everybody’s numbers tend to be better when your team is performing well,” Green said. “I think that’s contagious. I think everybody feeds off one another. We help each other by playing really well and doing our jobs well. He hasn’t had that, and I think he’s still leading the National League in OPS right now. So not much more you can ask from a guy like that. It’s been special.”

It’s not just OPS; Soto also entered Saturday leading the NL in on-base percentage and league-adjusted OPS+. Had he not missed two and a half weeks to a calf strain early this season, Soto might also rank among the league leaders -- as he often does -- in various counting stats.

Despite the Mets’ struggles, Soto made a late charge in fan voting to finish second behind Brandon Marsh of the Phillies among NL outfielders. The top three finishers -- a group that included Marsh, Soto and Andy Pages of the Dodgers -- all earned starts, with Soto capturing 17 percent of the overall vote.

“Definitely, I’ve got to thank all my fans,” Soto said. “I’ve got to thank all the fans in the Dominican Republic, they make it possible. Thanks to the people in New York, too. They really brought a lot. Mets fans are unbelievable. I really appreciate everything they have done for me these past two years. It’s great. Seeing myself where I started in the votes, and then seeing where I finished, it’s incredible what they did.”

This will be Soto’s fifth All-Star appearance, his second start, and his first All-Star honor as a Met. At age 27, he's the youngest player by far to make the All-Star Game for four different franchises: the Mets, Yankees, Padres and Nationals.

“I think he’s set out to be one of the best players in the history of the game, and the best players in the game are at the All-Star Game every year,” Green said. “So it’s the place he deserves to be. It’s the place he belongs. … I certainly believe he relishes the opportunity to be around other great players.”

Outside of Soto, the Mets had a dearth of possible All-Stars in what has been a disappointing season. Their top candidates not to make the initial roster were mostly middle relievers, including Huascar Brazobán, who owns a 1.94 ERA over 41 2/3 innings in a variety of roles, and Luke Weaver, who has an active 22-appearance scoreless streak.

Here’s more on Soto, the Mets’ lone All-Star:

Juan Soto, OF
Previous All-Star appearances: Four (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Something to know: Soto has 30 career multi-homer games, tied for fourth-most in Major League history before turning 28 behind Jimmie Foxx (32), Eddie Mathews (31) and Alex Rodriguez (31).